railing

noun

rail·​ing ˈrā-liŋ 

1

: a barrier consisting of a rail and supports

2

: rails

also : material for making rails

Synonyms

• rail

Examples of railing in a Sentence

He leaned on the deck's railing and watched the sun set.

they had to put a childproof railing on the balcony when the baby started walking

Recent Examples on the Web

String fairy lights along the railing, line your steps with lanterns filled with faux candles or add wall sconces beside the door. —Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025

Six of its wooden bridges, stairs, signs, hand railings and an observation deck were destroyed in the 2008 Basin Complex Fire. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025

Some perky-looking musical notes, in brass, were affixed to railings. —D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

Last but not least, the home features the coziest front porch, complete with eye-catching front and side railings, that can be transformed into the perfect space for unwinding with outdoor furniture, a porch swing, a set of string lights, and a stylish doormat, of course. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for railing

• ailing
• bailing
• baling
• failing
• flailing
• grayling
• hailing
• jailing
• mailing
• nailing
• paling
• sailing

Kids Definition

railing

noun

rail·​ing ˈrā-liŋ 

1

: a barrier (as a fence) consisting of rails and their supports

2

: material for rails